How Long Does Hard Candy Last: Best Storage Methods

Last Updated on February 20, 2023

Have you ever found an old bag of hard candy in the very back of your pantry and desperately wondered whether it’s still good or not? Do you risk it? How long does hard candy last?

Well, today we answer that exact question just in time for the spooky season! More often than not we throw out perfectly good food which is not only wasteful but also costs you money. Here, we will look at what hard candy is, what reduces its shelf life, and how to properly store it.

What is Hard Candy?

Hard candy, also known as boiled sweets, is a type of confection made from sugar syrups. Usually, manufacturers prefer using sucrose, fructose, or glucose, but sugar-free versions have also recently been developed.

These syrups are heated until they begin to caramelize around 320°F / 160°C. Once the syrup has reached the correct temperature, a few additional ingredients are added to create a delicious flavor.

Making hard candy at home is surprisingly easy, but we must admit, it took us a few tries to get the sugar temperature just right. We absolutely love the fruitier essences and also add a drop or two of food coloring to match.

Learn more about Albanese Gummy Bears Ingredients

Does Hard Candy Expire?

The question isn’t really “does hard candy expire”, but rather when. Despite popular belief, all food items do eventually expire, even if it takes decades.

Hard candy has a best-by-shelf life of up to a year. A “best by” date doesn’t indicate when a product has expired, but rather when it has gone past its prime.

The shelf life of hard candy made in a factory is slightly longer compared to homemade versions. This is because manufacturers also add stabilizers and preservatives to make their products last longer.

We have found that homemade hard candy lasts about 6 to 9 months without losing its hard texture and intense flavor.

How to Correctly Store Hard Candy

Bacteria only need a few things to grow; favorable temperatures, moisture, and oxygen. By eliminating even one of these factors you can extend the shelf life of your candy by months.

To create an unfavorable environment for the bacteria, first eliminate any light or heat sources. We like to keep our candy in a pantry or food cupboard – a “cool dry place” as the packaging always says.

You can even store the candy inside a refrigerator, especially on hot summer days. Heat also makes the candy melt and changes its texture.

To eliminate oxygen for the bacteria, just try to use all the opened candies immediately. We store any opened candies or homemade candy inside a re-sealable bag or an airtight container.

Lastly, hard candies already have a naturally low moisture content, so all you have to do is keep them away from high-humidity areas and heat sources. Keeping the candy near a microwave or oven can create water molecules inside the package.

Read more about How To Keep Hard Candy From Getting Sticky

Can You Freeze Hard Candy?

The answer is yes! However, we have personally found it unnecessary. Hard candy already has a long shelf life and let’s be honest, you will probably devour them before they are even close to expiring!

Do Jolly Ranchers Expire?

Jolly Ranchers are one of the most famous brands of hard candy. Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers last the longest when they are kept individually wrapped and not exposed to any humidity or moisture. While Jolly Ranchers don’t technically expire, they do have a time when they’ll be in their prime, which is usually around 12 months from manufacturing.

Jolly Ranchers are one of the few foods that do not carry an expiration date. This is because they do not pose a risk if consumed after their prime; they just simply won’t taste as good as they once did.

Best Long Lasting Candy

Many candies last the longest time and I find the most delicious. Some of my favorites include:

• • Jolly Ranchers Hard Candies
  • Brach’s Hard Candies Variety Pack

• Werther’s Original Hard Candies
• Washburn Hard Candies

This is just a small selection. Feel free to leave your favorite hard candy in the comments below.

What Happens if You Eat an Expired Lollipop?

Lollipops will usually last around 12 months; after this point, the taste and texture will likely start to deteriorate. The likelihood of anything happening after you’ve eaten an expired lollipop is very unlikely. You may get a stomach ache, but it’s doubtful. As long as the lollipop has been sealed and looks okay, it should be safe to consume.

Hard Candy Recipe With Butter and Jello

Making hard candy with butter and Jello as the main ingredients is super easy – let’s take a closer look at two of my favorite recipes.

Butterscotch hard candy recipe

For this butterscotch hard candy recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of cubed butter, plus 1 teaspoon
• 2 1/2 cups of sugar
• 1/2 cup of corn syrup
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of rum extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Now all you need to do is:

1. Grease a baking pan with around a teaspoon of butter and set aside.
2. Grab a saucepan and add the following ingredients: corn syrup, sugar, and water. Heat on medium heat, cover, and allow coming to a boil.
3. Once boiling, remove the lid and leave uncovered. Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature and wait until the temperature reaches 270F.
4. Add the cubes of butter, salt, and honey and mix throughout until the temperature reaches 300F. Immediately remove from heat and stir in the extract.
5. Pour the mixture into your greased pan and leave to set for a few minutes and then cut into squares. Leave to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!

Hard candy with cannabutter

For this hard candy recipe with Cannabutter, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 3oz of flavored gelatin
• 1/2 cup of corn syrup
• 3/4 cup of white sugar
• 1/4 cup of cannabutter, plus one tablespoon (cannabis infused with butter)

Now all you need to do is:

1. Grab a saucepan and add the following ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup of cannabutter. Heat over low heat and mix until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Grease your pan or mold with your tablespoon of butter to prepare the mixture.
3. Keep heating the mixture until it begins to boil. Use a candy thermometer to check when the mixture reaches 275F and then add the gelatin, stirring throughout.
4. Once dissolved, add to your prepared pan or molds and allow the mixture to cool at room temperature.
5. Remove from molds and lightly dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Conclusion: How Long Does Hard Candy Last?

I hope this post has helped to answer the question: how long does hard candy last? So, in essence, hard candy can last up to a year if stored correctly. Choose an area away from any light, high temperatures, and moisture. Also, make sure that you keep it sealed in an airtight container or bag.

If you would like to give us your own tips and tricks for storing candy, or if you have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments below!

Learn more about Butter Lollipop Recipe